Godric Durst awoke from a dreamless afternoon sleep by the ringing of his phone which brought bad news—he was being called into work that night because Robbie had quit his job and Steve was taking some time off. More than that, the police would be awaiting him at the museum to ask questions. Oh and there's been a fire the night before too.

"I know," said Durst.

"What?" said David MacLeod.

"I saw it."

"You were at the museum last night?"

"Wait, what?"

"Explain yourself lad. Were you at the museum?"

"No! I thought you meant the fire in the woods. I was out there—star gazing—I saw the fire. There was a fire at the museum too?"

"Yes," said MacLeod, "No serious damage, however. And in fact, I'm not convinced the reports are accurate. I... Shouldn't go into it now," he paused—the first time Durst had ever heard him be in the least indecisive. "I don't know honestly. Cameras were down and there seemed to be a lot panicking when I was called in. Robbie's story kept changing as to whether he'd been alone or not, as he at first acted like he wasn't, but then no one else was found in the museum and he was clearly becoming over-wrought. Uh, no actual damage from the fire though—or any sign it ever occurred at all," he muttered, "And yet they insist it happened."

"How can there be no damage?"

"The alarm was triggered because the fire door was opened—no smoke—and all accounts said the flames were blue. Even from the firemen—but maybe it was something else. Because no real damage from it either, even at the epicentre. The firemen did more damage making sure it hadn't spread, actually."

"Blue?" said Durst.

"Yes. It's being investigated—don't worry about it—it's extinguished and not your responsibility. Be here at seven. You'll get time-and-half."

"Okay—but the fire I also saw..."

"What?" barked MacLeod—another muffled voice talking on his end of the line.

"Is the fire why the police are there?" said Godric after things quieted.

"That matter is confidential for now," MacLeod snapped.

Two police cars were at the museum when Durst arrived. One of the officers was busy loading a large plastic case into the back. Another waited at the door and did not oppose Godric's entry.

When he entered the staff hallway on four he heard various voices drifting from the break room. One of which was Ada's. He squinted—was she being interrogated?

"He will be sought for questioning," said an unknown voice. "Nothing more for now."

"But he put those things there," insisted Ada—her voice had become hoarse and thick. "He's been stealing from the museum too. I know it!"

"You must understand Ms. Galli," said the voice, "That although certainly incriminating there were no fingerprints on any of these objects we removed from the basement—nor was there any evidence of his presence there beyond what you told us. We do believe you that he's passed through before—that is why he will be questioned—but for now we have no evidence beyond that, and that's circumstantial. We'll speak to your colleagues as well—see if they've ever seen anything strange. Beyond that, you must trust we are doing what we can."

"Cazzata," she muttered.

"What?" came the gruff response, and Ada said nothing more.

Godric was briefly questioned after this, and he related what little relevant info he could regarding Steve. This did not amount to much, at first, but as he was speaking a spider crawled into his mind.

"Alan," he said—it just hit him.

"What?" said the officer.

"One of the janitors here. On Saturday morning he was trying to tell me all sorts of things. About Steve and people he's connected too—I don't know if it's really worth anything, but he is friends with Steve at least."

"What's his last name?"

"I... I don't know actually—HR will have it though. He's bald, short, has a little brown goatee. Often wears sunglasses even when it's not needed. Lives in the North End—I don't know specifically where."

The officer nodded, asked a few more questions of minor significance, and then departed.

Ada gazed at him miserably when she left with the police—they were to drive her home—and MacLeod appeared from an office to give Godric the new lay of the land. Told him about the now official secret passages—the police had thoroughly searched the one to the fourth basement, and the one from the records room after Ada disclosed them. Said they'd look into restricting them—somehow—but for now he ought to ignore them unless he had reason not to.

"They're existence is classified beyond the staff too," he said, and Durst nodded.

Last stop was the empty room where the fire raged, MacLeod scoffed before saying, "That Ms. Galli must've terrified—she ruined not one but two statues."

"What?"

"One in the gallery next door and one here. One marble and one alabaster."

"How'd that get there?" shot Godric, "This room was empty wasn't it?"

"I assumed it was always on display here."

"I thought... Which statue was it?"

"A red one."

"Oh."

"Are you saying different? That it didn't just get simply knocked over in all the commotion?"

Durst rubbed his chin, "I thought so... Maybe I'm wrong."

"The girl was cagey about it actually," said MacLeod. "Kept looking at its rubble after we moved it to the basement—seemed blessed scared of it... Anyway, it's getting late! Let's finish up."

Durst was alone by eight, and a few minutes after this his phone rang—it was Ada.

She'd gotten the number from HR file, she said, and then in a bluster of words she related to him much of what MacLeod already said.

"What's all this about blue fire after?" he asked, smiling to himself.

"Hm," she said, almost startled, "D-did they tell you I said that?"

"They didn't say it was from you, specifically. Only that it was supposed to have been blue."

"Oh. What do..." she stopped herself and then rallied. "What do you think of that? That such a thing might happen within the museum? Such a... disturbance."

"I saw blue fire last night too."

"But you were...?"

"Not at the museum."

"Then?"

"The fire I saw was out in the woods. Taller than a house. I saw..." he paused then, sighed, "I saw other things too. Strange things. Meant to go back there today and look about but I didn't get the chance. Did you see things like that? MacLeod said you seemed frankly scared of a broken statue."

"Heard more than I saw actually," her voice was quiet.

"Like what?"

"Not unlike your journal. But not exactly the same. More so, in fact. Beyond what you describe."

"What does that mean?"

She didn't answer. Durst asked if she was still there.

"Si," it came quick, "I don't know if it means there will be more like it—you're at the museum now?"

"Yes."

"Be careful! I believe there are yet more secret passages within the museum. But I don't know where."

"I'll keep an eye out."

"Good," she muttered for a moment, and then, "Goodbye."

"Wait!" said Godric, "I have one more question, though I don't expect you'll be able to answer."

"What?"

"The broken statue—"

Ada moaned—almost embarrassed—but Godric pressed on. "The one in the room with the roof pulled down—you know? The red alabaster one?"

"I... I know the one you mean."

"Oh, maybe you do know the answer."

"Oofra."

"What?"

"Just ask!"

"Was it always there? MacLeod said he assumed it was always there and got smashed on accident but I thought I'd seen it in the basement not too long before... That true? Sounds like you were in that room so..."

"No!" her voice had become angry. "It wasn't there!"

"Then how did it...?"

"Don't ask me that! I don't understand how it happened!"

She was getting overwrought, and though now disturbed, Durst let up, and said, "Let's... Well, uh, let's discuss these disturbances. Tomorrow maybe?"

"Si, fine," she murmured. "I'll still be at work there in the evening like always, you too?"

"Yes. But your going to keep working at night?"

"If you're there. We talk then."

She hung up before Godric could suggest sometime sooner.

Even the public end of the basements was a miserable place to be. Too many blind corners and marble shapes too trick the eyes, yet Durst pressed on until he came to where he was sure the alabaster statue had stood. Found an empty corner. Boxes kicked aside and scrapes and smudges along the floor. Made a trail that ended after two feet.

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